Routledge Studies in Constraints-Based Methodologies in Sport

A constraints-based framework has informed the way that many sport scientists seek to understand performance, learning design and the development of expertise and talent in sport. However, its translation from theory to everyday coaching practice has proven challenging. Routledge Studies in Constraints-Based Methodologies in Sport provides practitioners and academics with material relating to the full breadth of the application of a constraints-based methodology in sport in order to bridge this gap.

Introduced by a foundational text which sets out a practical design framework and including concise books on sport-specific studies written by expert coaches, the series includes content on motor learning, skill acquisition and talent development for undergraduate and postgraduate students, and specialist knowledge on different constraints-based models for coaches, physical education teachers, sport scientists and performance analysts.

The series provides the most comprehensive, theoretically sound and practically relevant guide to understanding and implementing constraints-led approaches to skill acquisition and talent development and is edited by the team behind the constraints collective. A world leading group, dedicated to furthering knowledge and application of constraints-based approaches to sport. Visit their website for companion podcasts, blogs and ideas in this field of practice at https://www.theconstraintscollective.com/

Series Editors

Will Roberts

University of Waikato, NZ

Ian Renshaw

Queensland University of Technology, Australia

Martyn Rothwell

Sheffield Hallam University, UK

Daniel Newcombe

Oxford Brookes University, UK

Keith Davids

Sheffield Hallam University, UK

Will Roberts is a Senior Lecturer in Sport Development and Coaching at the University of Waikato, New Zealand. Will has worked in higher education for the last 25 years and held academic research positions for over a decade as well as working across both grassroots and elite sport environments, establishing his work as a multi-disciplinarian in sport coaching research. Will developed the undergraduate and postgraduate research programmes in coaching at Oxford Brookes University, where he holds a post as visiting researcher in the Sport, Exercise and Physical Activity Research Group (SEPARG). He continues to work with expert coaches to support their development in a variety of settings including Manchester United FC, New Zealand Golf, the Premier League’s Elite Coaching Accreditation Scheme, England Futsal and more.

Ian Renshaw is an Associate Professor in the School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences at Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia. Ian has worked in the higher education sector since 1990 delivering courses to undergraduate students and supervising postgraduate students in the UK, New Zealand and Australia. Ian has collaborated with Cricket Australia Centre of Excellence, Queensland Academy of Sport, Australian Institute of Sport and was a founder member of the Australasian Skill Acquisition Research Group.

Martyn Rothwell is a mentor for coaches deploying constraints-based methodologies and recently a Senior Lecturer in Sport Coaching and Performance, and an Associate Researcher within the Sport and Human Performance Research group, at Sheffield Hallam University, UK. Over the past 15 years Martyn has been committed to developing a parallel career in higher education and sport coaching. Martyn continues to conduct multidisciplinary research in high performance sport settings and is a World Cup winning coach with the England Wheelchair Rugby League team. He now holds a visiting research and advisory role with the University of Waikato, New Zealand.

Daniel Newcombe is the Coach Development Manager for the English Premier League where he is chiefly responsible for the learning and development of some of the very best coaches in world football. He has been a Senior Lecturer in Sport, Coaching and PE in the department of Sport, Health Sciences and Social Work at Oxford Brookes University, UK. Daniel has worked in higher education for ten years and has been delivering Coaching: Practice to Theory modules to undergraduate students. Daniel is also an international and domestic national league hockey coach. He has been the Head Coach, and previously Assistant Head Coach for the Men’s Welsh National Team for the past decade, recently leading them to some of their best performances on record, using a constraints-based approach to his coaching practice.

Keith Davids is Professor of Motor Learning at the Centre for Sports Engineering Research, Sheffield Hallam University, UK. He has held professorial positions in the UK, New Zealand, Australia and Finland (Finnish Distinguished Professor 2012–2016). He has conducted research on elite and developmental sport programmes at the New Zealand South Island Academy, the Queensland Academy of Sport, Australian Institute of Sport, Diving Australia, Cricket Australia and the English Institute of Sport.